by Swarna K

Created on: August 11, 2009   Last Updated: August 18, 2009

Lord Ganesha, the son of lord Shiva and Parvati, is considered to be the god of success and a destroyer of evils and obstacles. He is also named as the lord of wisdom, wealth, knowledge. HE is being worshipped by all Hindus and is considered one of the most worshipped deities. There is a story involved about the elephant head that lord Ganesha holds. He was created by Goddess Parvati, the wife of lord Shiva. Also he has a special day for worship called the Ganesh Chaturthi. This is a big festival of the Hindus. Ganesha, also called the Ekdanta because of just one Tusk that he has, is worshiped on this auspicious day along with a mouse which is said to be his vehicle (Vahana). There are many names by which Lord Ganesha is called like, Lambodara (which means one who has a big stomach), Mooshaka vahana (one who rides on a mouse), ekdanta (one who has 1 Tusk),chaarbhujadhaari (one who has four hands),

The festival Ganesha Chaturthi falls on the month of August also called the month of Bhadrapada. Considering it to be a very big festival by Hindus in India and also in all parts of the world, a big prayer, called pooja, is conducted at home and in temples by people. They offer milk and sweets. Lad doo, one of the sweets, is considered to be Lord Ganesha's favorite sweet and so this is offered to him.

As the festival comes closer, clay-made Ganesha models are sold outside, beautifully molded and designed in all shapes and sizes. This model is decorated at home on the main Pooja day and they make much variety of items. People in India call priests to their home to perform rituals and some people perform them by themselves. They decorate the clay model of Lord Ganesha with flowers and many beautiful leaves. This model is kept for 9 days at the place where the ritual was performed and then finally on the 10th day, they take the clay model to the nearest river and immerse it.

This festival is grandly celebrated In Maharashtra with many functions being performed by the Hindu community. Marvelous models of Lord Ganesha are stunningly decorated. It looks as if Lord Ganesha himself is standing In front of you. With very much belief this festival is performed and people do whatever they can to keep their deity happy and get his blessings. People from both the richest families to the poorest families celebrate this festival with ultimate belief on the lord.

This festival has become of utmost importance for Hindus across the world. They worship and perform Ganesh Chaturthi, so that they get the blessings of Lord Ganesha. They are blessed with prosperity, wisdom, strength and they are saved from all the evils and obstacles: and the lord brings good fortune to their homes.

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